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Shutter Island, a review by Jon

Shutter Island
4 out of 5





While not a horror as such, this has enough elements to warrant inclusion in the tail end of the genre, the end that becomes pure thriller. And what an excellent contribution to the genre this is.

Shutter Island and InceptionInception is very much a modern filmmaking style, especially prevalent since The Matrix, making the viewer gasp at spectacular set-pieces while leaving intriguing questions unanswered, Shutter IslandMystic River, Gone Baby Gone) without losing the pace. Martin Scorcese compliments the story perfectly and this is probably his most playful film since Cape FearCat People, BedlamGhost Ship, as the ferry carrying the Marshalls emerges from the mist. Scorcese with Director of Photography Robert Richardson (Inglourious Basterds) has created a film that defines sumptuous, despite the muted palette.

It seems the aim in modern filmmaking to make the audience question what they see. People are still talking about Inception, trying to interpret how the story unfolds, trying to work out Nolan the Magician. Shutter IslandInception

(From Jon's Horror-thon 2010 on November 2nd, 2010)

X-Men, a review by addicted2comics

Title: X-Men
Year: 2000
Director: Bryan Singer
Rating: PG-13
Length: 104 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Stars:
Hugh Jackman
Patrick Stewart
Ian McKellen
Famke Janssen
James Marsden
Halle Berry

Plot:
Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary and dangerous powers - the result of unique genetic mutations. Cyclops unleashes bolts of energy from his eyes. Storm can manipulate the weather at will. Rogue absorbs the life force of anyone she touches. But under the tutelage of Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), these and other outcasts learn to harness their powers for the good of mankind. Now they must protect those who fear them as the nefarious Magneto (Ian McKellan), who believes humans and mutants can never co-exist, unveils his sinister plan for the future!

Pulsing with state-of-the-art visual effects and unforgettable characters, X-MEN "delivers it all!" (ABC-TV)

Extras:
Scene Access
Feature Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Gallery
Production Notes
DVD-ROM Content
Closed Captioned
THX
Animatics

My Thoughts:

I've seen reveiws of this across the web, a lot of fan didn't seem to like this trilogy. When it comes to all 3, its not one of my favorites, but it is pretty good...

My one and only complaint is the use of Kitty Pryde in this first movie. (Not saying the trilogy cuz I can barely remember the other two.) To me, she is one of the major members of the X-Men! May not be all that powerful, but walking through stuff is still really cool in my eyes! She got one mention in the begining, a small appearance at the school, and that's it. I think it would hasve been interesting to, maybe, have her bunk with Rogue? Have her portrayed as the perky, teenage girl she was in the cartoon, X-Men: Evolution. Tell me that wouldn't have been sweet, or at least a little comic relief!!

I think the writers pretty much nailed the characters, and Mystique was done very well. I also liked the little origin piece on how Rogue's hair turned white. That really was never explained, as far as I know, and lets face it, that's definitely the first thing you notice about her!!

A enjoyable film for every so often.



(From Doing the ABC's Movie Style!! on July 31st, 2010)

Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

17. The Royal Couple of Thieves
Xena's asked to steal back a pilfered chest containing the world's most powerful weapon, so she enlists the help of Autolycus, the self-proclaimed King of Thieves.

My Thoughts:
This is the first episode of Xena that Bruce Campbell appared in as the King of Thieves. It is a fun episode. There is plenty of comedy involved.

My Rating:

18. The Prodigal
Gabrielle returns to her home town, only to find it under attack by a greedy warlord, and under the protection of a faded warrior, who's lost his self-confidence.

My Thoughts:
Another episode that I like. Even though Xena is barely in this episode. Only a short scene in the beginning and a short scene in the end. But I enjoyed seeing an episode that focused more on Gabrielle.

My Rating:

19. Altared States
Xena and Gabrielle agree to hide a 12-year-old who has run away from home after learning that he was to be sacrificed in the name of a new "Supreme Diety."

My Thoughts:
This episode has a great beginning! Xena and Gabrielle bathing in the lake... Xena teaching Gabrielle how to fish by just grabbing the fish while in the water with them. Coming nude (or so it looks) out of the water in front of the men she was going to fight as well as the teen boy that she was going to save. All I could think is "Lucky Kid" even if they really were in bikinis or not. The main episode is good... an interestings story.

My Rating:

20. The Ties That Bind
Xena saves a mysterious warrior, who later professes to be her estranged father. But the reunion is anything but happy, as Xena tries to find out if the man's claims are true.

My Thoughts:
While still a good story... I didn't care for this one quite as much as the others. I just think the story they were telling could have been done a little better.

My Rating:

(From Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon on December 15th, 2009)